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Inside a stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to
the brain is suddenly disrupted. This can
happen in two ways:
Ischemic stroke.
In more than 80 percent
of strokes, a blood vessel leading to the brain
is blocked, usually by a blood clot.
Blood clots can form in arteries narrowed
by plaque deposits. Clots also can travel to
the brain from other parts of the body, such
as the heart. An irregular heartbeat
called atrial fibrillation is a common
cause of these traveling clots.
Hemorrhagic stroke.
Less commonly, a
weakened blood vessel
breaks, spilling blood
into or around the
brain.
One common
cause is an aneurysm,
which occurs when
a section of blood
vessel weakens and
balloons out. Untreated,
it can rupture, leaking
blood into the brain. Blood
vessels weakened by high blood
pressure may also be prone to rupture.
Brain cells quickly die when they are
starved of oxygen and nutrients because of a
clot or when they are damaged by bleeding,
notes the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Stroke can affect any area of the body,
depending on which area of the brain
is damaged. Stroke can cause paralysis
or weakness on one side of the body;
problems with speech, memory or
thinking; loss of feeling; or chronic pain.
Why minutes matter
Stopping a stroke is key to limiting the
damage. At the hospital, doctors work to
quickly determine what caused the stroke.
For ischemic strokes, they can use a
drug called tissue plasminogen activator
(t-PA) to dissolve the clot and restore
blood flow to the brain. To do the most
good, t-PA must be given within a
4½-hour window after symptoms start.
However, you should arrive at the
hospital much sooner than that—within
60 minutes—in order to receive evaluation
and treatment, urges NINDS.
The other type of stroke,
hemorrhagic, is treated differently.
One way to stop the bleeding
is with surgery to place a
metal clip at the base of the
aneurysm.
If you think someone is
having a stroke, it’s essential
to call 911. Sudden signs
of stroke include confusion;
feeling numb or weak in
the face, arm or leg; or trouble
walking. (See story at right for more.)
Lower your risk
Talk with your healthcare provider
about your personal risk for stroke.
Not all risk factors can be changed, such
as age or having a family history of stroke.
However, you can prevent or treat any risk
factors that are within your control, such
as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking,
being overweight or not exercising.
Lifestyle changes and medicines are
some ways you can address your risk.
Additional source: American Stroke Association
Signs of
a stroke:
Time to
move
quickly
It might happen like this: A
loved one suddenly looks
confused and has trouble
walking.When you ask what’s
wrong, the reply is slurred
and hard to understand.
It might be a stroke—
a medical emergency.
Treatment can save lives
and boost the chances of
a successful recovery, but
it must be given within
a few hours after stroke
symptoms begin. Don’t
waste a minute of time.
Call 911 right away if
you notice stroke signs in
yourself or someone else.
You must first be able to
recognize the signs; they
come on suddenly and
include:
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Numbness or weakness
of the face, arm or leg,
especially on one side of the
body.
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Confusion or trouble
speaking or understanding
speech.
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Trouble seeing.
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Trouble walking,
dizziness, or loss of balance
or coordination.
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Severe headache with no
obvious cause.
You might be tempted
to wait and see if symptoms
improve—don’t take
that chance. Remember,
the longer a stroke goes
untreated, the greater the
damage can be.
Source: National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke
Minutes matter:
If you think
someone is
having a stroke,
it’s essential
to call 911.
What can you expect in an emergency? Find out at
sharonhospital.com
.
Committed to quality
Sharon Hospital was awarded Primary Stroke Certification from the Healthcare Facilities
Accreditation Program (HFAP), an independent accreditation organization recognized by the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Sharon Hospital earned this distinction after HFAP conducted an
extensive review of our emergency care, lab, radiology, quality and safety standards.
To care for stroke patients at the highest possible level, Sharon Hospital’s stroke team is composed
of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, laboratory technologists, computed tomography scan
technologists and the rehabilitation team.We partner withYale NewHaven Hospital’s telestroke
program to provide around-the-clock neurological services. Sharon Hospital has been an accredited
Primary Stroke Center from the Connecticut Department of Public Health since July 2008 (until the state
discontinued the program in 2013). For more information about the Primary Stroke Center at Sharon
Hospital, call Melissa Braislin, Stroke Coordinator, at
860.364.4446
.
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